safeguarding elderly and vulnerable adults in Bromley

A key priority for the Council is to safeguard elderly and vulnerable adults in the borough.

Part of this is making sure frontline staff are clear about what they should do and we have robust procedures to follow if they are at all worried or concerned about a person’s welfare or are contacted by a resident about their concerns.  To test these safeguarding arrangements the Council requested a formal peer review as part of a wider review of the Early Intervention Service. This was carried out by senior officers from other Councils, under the auspices of the Directors of Adult Social Services.  The review looked at what’s working well and what can be done better. 

If you have any concerns about an elderly or vulnerable adult’s safety call the Council on 020 8461 7777.  For an out of hour’s emergency call 020 8464 4848.

The Council’s trading standards are also urging people to call their rapid response team if they suspect an older person is the victim of a rogue trader or scam on 07903 852090.

Bogus Builders and distraction scams

Neighbourhood watch have been asked to forward the following message from Trading Standards at Bromley Council and will be grateful if you could give it the widest circulation among your membership.

Trading Standards are warning residents to be on their guard for bogus builders following 2 attempts to scam older residents.  

A 70 year old man reported he was cold called by a male who he described as aged about 40, overweight, over 5’9” tall who said he was from a company which was an off shoot of Dynorod. The man told the consumer there was a problem with sewers at the rear of his property and gained access to the back ​garden to check a manhole.

The man then produced a mobile phone and told the resident to speak to “the boss”.  A man named David Pearce told him to check his toilets.  On doing so, the consumer found one of the toilets was almost overflowing with clean water and there was a lot of toilet paper round the top of the bowl.  At this point, the resident realised he was being scammed and told the man to leave.  It was evident someone had gained access to his home while he was in the garden.

A second report came from Natwest in Bromley when a 78 year old Shortlands woman went into the branch looking to withdraw £5,800 for building work.  When bank staff asked her about the work, the customer said she was stopped in the street by a man who said he was digging up the pavement in her street and needed to check her drains.  She allowed him into her house to check the drains and on being asked to check her toilet she discovered it was blocked.  The man said he needed to hire a machine to clear the blockage and asked for £5,800 in cash, which he said, would be refunded when the work was complete.

These two reports are similar to ones reported in October 2015 and can be seen by clicking on this link October trading-standards-scam-warning.

Trading Standards are urging residents to report any incidents of cold calling for property repairs and to keep a look out for any vulnerable neighbours.

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Referrals may be made via the Trading Standards Rapid response Number on 07903 852090.
Kind regards,

Bromley Neighbourhood Watch Association

Find us on the Web at: www.bnwa.co.uk

Plaistow and Sundridge Newsletter February 2016

           Welcome to the Plaistow and Sundridge Newsletter for the Month of February 2016.

Burglary

There were 7 burglaries in February, Gladwell Road, Cambridge Road, Southover, Morgan Road, Lansdowne Road, Valeswood Road and Garden Road. There were also 3 Non dwelling burglaries, 2 on a building site and 1 on business premises.

Always keep your shed and garage locked and tidy away your garden tools as burglars use then to break in through patio doors and windows. Please visit www.metbumblebee.org for more information

Why might your home be targeted? Most burglaries tend to be opportunistic, rather than planned. Burglars usually choose houses that have little or no visible security. So if your home does not look secure, seems unlived in or provides unobserved access, it could be at risk. Understanding what burglars look for when choosing their target will help you indentify weak spots in your home’s security

WHAT MAKES YOUR HOME ATTRACTIVE TO BURGLARS

1.   A high front boundary

2.   Low side and rear boundaries

3.   Accessible wheelie bins

4.   No visible intruder alarm

5.   No security lighting

6.   Valuables on display

7.   Open or unsecured windows

8.   Unsecured garage or shed door

9.   Unlocked back or side gate

10. Paved path or driveway

VEHICLE CRIME 

In February there were 4 theft of motor vehicle and 4 thefts from motor vehicle offences.

Vehicle crime continues to be one of our top priorities and various operations continued in February across the Borough.

 

Car Key Theft

Modern immobilizer systems mean that thieves now aim to steal your keys and your vehicle at the same time. You can help stop them by following these tips:

Never leave keys in the ignition

Never leave your house or car keys near a door or window

Fit a tracker device

Use your garage if you have one

You may not be insured if your vehicle is stolen having been left unsecured

Visit www.secureyourmotor.gov.uk

Useful links www.soldsecure.com , www.thatcham.org , www.immobilise.com 

ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR

 We have had no other reported Anti-social behaviour on the ward however if you have experienced any please let us know or if you prefer via www.crimestoppers-uk.org or call on 0800555 111 all calls are treated anonymously.

SCAMS 

Scams are happening all the time if you want to stay on top of the latest scams visit WWW.met.police.uk/fraudalert which contains current information on different scams targeting consumers. It also provides you with tips on guarding yourself against scams, new scams stories, scam alerts and advice on reporting scams.

Other News

While out on routine patrol in Alexander Crescent officers from the team were stopped by a member of public who told them that his transit van had been stolen earlier in the day and had just been seen driving around the local area, while the team conducted an area search the van was circulated over the met radio. A police unit who was in the area spotted the van and followed it in to Lewisham after a short pursuit the driver decamped and was eventually arrested after a foot chase through residential gardens.  

The team has been visiting various licensed premises as part of an initiative to identify victims of child sexual exploitation. This is a met wide initiative and we will be visiting businesses through March.

The on-line survey is being worked on at the moment with updated questions after receiving feedback and will be available to complete towards the end of the month, I will send out notification when you can access it via http://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/0EC6W/ 

Community Meeting

The next Police drop in surgery will be held at The Lavender Cafe, Plaistow Lane on Thursday 31st March 2016 at 15:00 - 16:00 hours.

Please come and visit us if you have any concerns you have about the area you live in we’re there to talk to you not just to drink coffee.

www.met.police.uk/saferneighbourhoods

Contact Details

In an Emergency always ring 999

Non-emergency ring 101

www.met.police.uk/crimeprevention for crime prevention advice

E-mail Plaistow.sundridge.snt.@met.police.uk

Burnt Ash Drama Association's Next Presentation

BADAs - 2016 entry in BTGs full length play festival - 

Public adjudication on Saturday 9th April - 

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